The Raven's Head

<p><b>A gothic delight from Karen Maitland, author of the bestselling and much-loved <i>Company of Liars</i>, that will enchant readers of Kate Mosse''s</b><i> <b>The Burning Chambers </b></i><b>or fans of Deborah Harkness seeking a new, dark fix.</b><br><br> <b><font>''An atmospheric and dark story'' </b><b><i>The Times</i></b><b></font></b><br><br><i>Never trust your secrets to a Raven when you are not its true master...</i><br><br>1224. Langley Manor, Norfolk. <br><br>Lord Sylvain has been practising alchemy in hiding for years and now only the Apothecary''s niece can help him with final preparations to forge the Philosopher''s Stone.<br><br>Alchemy calls for symbols - and victims - and when a man in possession of an intricately carved raven''s head arrives at the Manor in a clumsy attempt at blackmail, Sylvain has both symbol and victim within easy reach.<br><br>But the White Canons in nearby Langley Abbey are concealing a crucial, missing ingredient... Regulus, a small boy with a large destiny.<br><br><b>What readers are saying about <i>The Raven''s Head</i>:</b><br><br>''An <b>intriguing and exciting dark tale</b> about <b>power and intrigue in politics</b>, but most of all about the <b>power and fear</b> of the main ingredient of the book - <b>almighty alchemy</b>!'' <br><br>''Full of <b>stories, witchcraft, alchemy, suspicion and suspense</b>. Fantastic book''<br><br>''As well as being a s<b>uspenseful tale t</b>hat <b>keeps the reader on the edge of their seat</b>, the book illustrates that the <b>Middle Ages had a dark edge</b>. The <b>writing is beautiful</b>, and the novel is <b>crafted in a masterful way</b>''</p>